Aggie football officially names Martin head coach

LAS CRUCES - The New Mexico State Aggies ended the waiting game, promoting Doug Martin to permanent head football coach Friday.

Martin was named interim coach last week following DeWayne Walker's departure to the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL. After conducting interviews in recent days, NMSU Athletics Director McKinley Boston officially named Martin head coach of the team.

"At this place and time, with where we are, with his familiarity with the program, he's a good fit," Boston said. "Despite last year's win-loss record, I think coach Martin is the right person. He understands the level of competition. We're looking forward at building this program."

As the week moved along, the promotion of Martin became more anticipated amongst followers and supporters of the program.

In a press release Friday, Boston stated the "overwhelming support," for Martin as lead candidate.

Boston said both parties are working out contract details, although Martin's current agreement as offensive coordinator - a two-year deal that was going to pay a $150,000 base salary in 2012 - will be re-negotiated at the head-coaching level.

For the record, Walker had four years remaining on his contract, which paid him a base salary of $363,000 annually.

"I think this is absolutely the right move for New Mexico State right now," said Hank Cook, a former Aggie player and current board member of the Aggie Athletic Club and Football Success Fund.

"The vast majority of people that understand football and understand New Mexico State's situation are supportive of this.

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Quarterback Andrew Manley said Martin has the backing of NMSU's football locker room.

"Ninety-percent of the team was excited," Manley said of reaction after Martin was introduced as interim last week. "We're just excited to have him back."

Martin is familiar with NMSU, working at the program in 2011 and doing a respectable job with the team's offense. The Aggies were more entertaining and competitive with him calling the attack, as he proved to be a resourceful coach that mixed and matched personnel based off players' strengths.

The following year he went to Boston College as offensive coordinator, a job offer at the time he said couldn't be turned down.

But Martin left BC following this past season when head coach Frank Spaziani was fired. In turn, Walker and the Aggies moved quickly to bring him back to the program.

Prior to his stay in Las Cruces, Martin was head coach at Kent State from 2004-10, compiling an overall record of 29-53.

"I am thrilled for the opportunity and very appreciative that Dr. Boston and the administration have the confidence in me to move this program forward," Martin said in a written statement. "I think there is unlimited potential in this program and in this city and I look forward to building this football program to be part of the city of Las Cruces."

Teddy Feinberg can be reached at (575) 541-5455. Follow him on Twitter @TeddyFeinberg

The Doug Martin file

- Doug Martin was named he 34th head coach in New Mexico State football history on Friday.

- Martin worked at NMSU in 2011 as the school's offensive coordinator. The Aggies were a more competitive outfit that season with the team trotting out a respectable attack - 24.5 points per game, just under 400 yards per contest. Martin was previously head coach at Kent State from 2004-2010, compiling a 29-53 record. Prior to that, he was an assistant coach at East Carolina from 1992-2002.

- The Aggies named Martin interim coach after DeWayne Walker left the program last week to join the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL. Last year, Martin was offensive coordinator at Boston College. While at Kent State, Martin worked at a program similar to NMSU from a historical standpoint - a mid-major outfit, working within the confines of limited resources. He's coached NFL players Josh Cribbs and Julian Edelman, two offensive playmakers in the pros, along with NFL quarterbacks Jeff Blake and David Garrard.

- Martin was born Feb. 4, 1963. He comes to Las Cruces with his wife, Vicki, and has three children - Molly, Cory and Bobby.